Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Tree That Survived A-Bomb Sees 70th Christmas

Japanese family kept tree through calamities

Share

(Newser) – A Japanese soldier's Christmas tree has stayed with his family through dark times, and even survived the atomic bomb that killed his brother in Nagasaki. This year marks the 70th Christmas that Warren Nobuaki Iwatake has put up the fragile, three-foot tree, which he calls "a shining light, because it was a symbol of unity in my family."

Iwatake's family hoisted the tree every year through World War II, risking arrest from Japanese authorities who were suspicious of all things Western. After a US POW rescued Iwatake from a pit during the war, and Iwatake later saw the soldier beheaded, he sent pics of the tree to the man's Texas family every year. "Gradually, Christmas has become more meaningful again," said Iwatake.

Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks, while sitting near to a Christmas tree, in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks, while sitting near to a Christmas tree, in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)   (Associated Press)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, next to a Christmas tree and a 2002 photograph showing him with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. One day during World War II, he was in the hills digging bunkers when he heard word that a...
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, next to a Christmas tree and a 2002 photograph showing him with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. One day during World...   (Associated Press)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake and his wife, Emiko, puts the final touches on a Christmas tree in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Warren Nobuaki Iwatake and his wife, Emiko, puts the final touches on a Christmas tree in his house in Tokyo, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007. Iwatake's family has seen more than its share of calamity. (AP Photo/Katsumi...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Warren Nobuaki Iwatake, a family portrait shows Iwatake, fourth from right, with his parents and four younger brothers and one sister taken in Hawaii in the 1930s. (AP Photo/Warren Nobuaki Iwatake)
In this photo released by Warren Nobuaki Iwatake, a family portrait shows Iwatake, fourth from right, with his parents and four younger brothers and one sister taken in Hawaii in the 1930s. (AP Photo/Warren...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

568 Stories

 Beware 12 Scams of Christmas 

Online schemes take advantage of the holiday spirit

Nov 21, 09 3:12 PM CST
(Newser) - The holiday season brings out the best in online scammers. CNET runs down common schemes to beware of, courtesy of McAfee:
  • Fake delivery invoices: They look like legit emails from UPS, Federal Express, and the like, asking for address confirmation and credit card info to ensure delivery.
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • scam • Christmas • phishing • holiday season

MARKETS

 Dow Up 137; 
 Fed News Sparks Rally 

Bernanke predicts US GDP growth in 2010

Nov 16, 09 3:12 PM CST
(Newser) - Stocks rallied today on news of strong third-quarter economic growth in Japan and reassurance from Ben Bernanke that the Fed will keep interest rates low, the Wall Street Journal reports.
  • The Dow rose 136.49 points to close at 10,406,96.
  • The Nasdaq gained 29.97, settling
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Ben Bernanke • Japan • Federal Reserve • Dow Jones • Nasdaq • S&P 500 • Japanese economy • interest rates

etiquette lesson

Obama Bow: Right Idea, Wrong Bow

Even Nixon bowed to the Japanese emperor —but he did it better

Nov 16, 09 11:52 AM CST
(Newser) - A friend of ABC’s Jake Tapper would like to clear up some misconceptions about President Obama’s bow to the Japanese emperor: First, “the right is wrong about Obama’s bow.” It’s not an “unprecedented” display of subservience from an American president—Richard Nixon bowed... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Japan • Richard Nixon • customs • President Obama • state visit • Emperor Akihito • bow • Obama bows • obama bows to japanese emperor

568 Stories


Iwatake

Iwatake's meeting with Bush
CNN


World 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

 
Japan • Nagasaki • World War II • Christmas

from our news partners

CinemaBlend.com